Keyboard reach extenders

ABSTRACT

An attachment for an actual piano, for example, comprising a smaller size keyboard than that of the full-size instrument with a linkage for coupling the attached keyboard in such a way that its keys actuate those of the actual full-size keyboard. The reduced size of the keyboard permits a child to play the instrument without hindrance due to the smaller size of his hands. A second linkage is provided for the attachment keyboard for altering the lateral spaces between the keys whereby the reach of the attachment keys may be varied to accommodate the reach of a user of the attachment.

I United States Patent 1 1 11 1 3,758,697 Goldsmith 1 1 Se t. 11 1973[54] KEYBOARD REACH EXTENDERS 1,699,465 1/1929 Edward 84/423 X 7 'd ld h8 I 61 Inventor 2: g gzg Crandon Primary Examiner-Richard B. WilkinsonAssistant Examiner1ohn F. Gonzales [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 218,860 1 ABSTRACT An attachment for an actual piano, for example,comprising a smaller size keyboard than that of the full-size84/42G5i08c42/i; instrument with a linkage for p g the attached 58 Fieldof Search 84/425, 426, 230-232, 52:22:3 flmf g zzgggjg 'f s 'iz s s gffi 84/423, 430-436, 439, 441, 446, 447, 467 keyboard permits a child toplay the instrument without [56] References Cited hindrance due to thesmaller size of his hands. A second linkage is provided for theattachment keyboard UNITED STATES PATENTS for altering the lateralspaces between the keys 722,998 3/1903 Mahr 84/425 whereby the reach ofthe attachment keys may be var- El m;

ied to accommodate the reach of a user of the attach- 11 am 85,9651/1869 Roz 84/425 1,092,291 4/1914 Robinson 84/425 3 Claims, 6 DrawingFigures 1 I I l0 0 lln, 2 8 I lln, l I 12 29 3 3 6 6 Ti l. I... I

L I n ln l l l Patnted Sept. 11, 1973 3,758,697

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 27 slmuull Patented Sept. 11,1973

2 Sheets-Sheet '2 1 KEYBOARD REACH EXTENDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to devices that permit a child to play akeyboard musical instrument without hindrance due to the smaller size ofhis hands. More specifically, the invention relates to an attachment foran actual piano, for example, comprising a smaller size keyboard thanthat of the full-size instrument with means for coupling this attachedkeyboard in such a way that its keys actuate those of the actualfull-size keyboard, at the same time providing a realistic piano keyaction.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an attachablesecond musical instrument keyboard to an actual full-size musicalinstrument keyboard that is readily and economically fabricated andassembled on a mass production basis and is adequately rugged for longservice life of severe usage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachable child'skeyboard that is readily set in place or removed from the full-sizeinstrument, so that a child and adult respectively can enjoy the fulluse of an actual musical instrument.

A further object of the present invention is to eliminate theinaccessibility of a given selection to a child based solelyon theinadequate size of his hands, and thereby permit him an acquaintancewith masterworks at an earlier time of life.

Another object of the invention is to permit a child to develop aninstrumental playing technique and tonal conception based upon theactual instrument rather than a toy-like substitute at an earlier timeof life.

Yet another object of the invention is to eliminate the inaccessibilityof a given selection to a child based solely upon the deficiencies intonal character or action of a toy-like substitute for an actualinstrument.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a preferredstructural embodiment of the device which is readily constructed andpermits efficient use and operation thereof.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a system of leversand cords housed in unitary or modularfashion the object of which is tocouple a childs keyboard to an actual keyboard in a direct key to keyrelationship so that tonal character and action of the originalinstrument are preserved.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will in part appearhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, that will beexemplified in the construc tion hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention intended for use on a pianoforte.

FIG. 2 is a sideview of the invention intended for use on a pianoforte.

FIG. 3 is a blowup view of the righthand end of the, invention.

FIG. 4 is a sideview of the clamp for securing the invention to theinstrument, the other portion thereof being seen in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a midline cross section of the invention positioned in placeon a pianoforte.

FIG. 6 is taken along plane indicated in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS or THE INVENTION Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the entire device is housed within an envelope or cabinet1 made of wood or any rugged and suitable plastic. If of plastic,internal fittings and male portions 2 of the securing braces 4, may beanchored in place by embedding resulting from including such fittings inthe mold.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the invention here being applied to a piano, acomplete keyboard replica of the instruments actual keyboard is situatedfor proximity to the player. This keyboard-5 differs from the actualkeyboard 7 only in the width of its individual keys 6. From this smallerkeyboard 5, the cabinet 1 flares upwards and outwards to completelyenvelop the actual keyboard 7. The invention remains positioned thus byabuttment along the front guard. 8 of the actual keyboard 7 by reason ofthe right angle configuration of its underside for the purpose of soconforming to-the forward shape of the actual instrument. Furthertothis-end is at either end a securing clamped brace 3 consisting of amale portion 2 secured to.or embedded in the cabinet 1 at either endthereof and a receiving groove 9 in the separate brace portion thereof4, for clamping to the actual instrument at theend portions of itskeyboard at its outermostv portions where there are no keys. The clampedbrace portion may be set in position permanently and the inventionproper set inplace by engagement therein at such time as a child wishesto play the actual instrument. This clamped brace in its separateportions is itself unremarkable, the male and female portions thereofbeing similar to those seen in steel bed frames. Collapsible legs 3 2provide added support. 7 r

' The cabinet has amusic rack or stand 10 as does the actual instrumentfor supporting sheet music and may furthermore present an electricallamp for illuminating the same. This rack has hinge 11 and slidinggroove 12 supports for positional adjustment which in themselves areunremarkable. In FIG. 2, pedal extenders 13 are seen which compriselittle more than sleeves fitting over'the pedals of the actualinstrument. Their purpose is simply to place the pedals within easyreach of the child. Note also that the entire invension is so designedas to reduce, rather than increase, the height of the child's keyboard5.

FIG. 4 shows. the clamped brace portion of the securement for theinvention. It consists of two angles 14 and 15, for receiving theforward portion of the actual instrument, an upward directed arm 16,containing the sliding groove 9 for engagement of the male portionthereof. This clamped brace would be of modified configuration foraffixment to another kind of keyboard instrument in such respective waysas may be viewed as self evident. The clamped brace 4 includes the twoclamps 17 with turn handles 19 coursing through the brace 4 by means ofa thread. Upwards these clamps terminate in pads 18 secured to theclamps 17 by means of ball and socket joints. The entire inner sur-.

face of the clamped brace 4 is covered with padding 20 for'protectingthe finish of the actual instrument.

Reference is now had to FIG. which is a midline cross section of theinvention. When the child depresses a key of his keyboard 6, the keyrotates over the fulcrum 21 to which the key 6 is attached by a bearing22. This bearing 22 is an axle attached to the underside of the key 6 atits center. FIG. 5 thus shows the end of this axle. At the end of thekey 6 distal to the player and on the upper surface of the key 6 is aflangelike stud 23. Since the fulcrum 21 is placed along the key at apoint more proximal to the player than the flangelike stud 23,depressing the key elevates the stud 23. This stud 23 spans the width ofthe key 6 along its upper side. Elevation of the stud 23 applies anupwardly driving force against the portion of the lever 24 distal to theplayer. This lever is of a single piece and is rotated about a bearing26 supported by the arm 25 of which FIG. 5 shows the right-hand side.Elevation of the portion of lever 24 distal to the player thus has theeffect of imparting tension to the steel wire 27 as it attaches to thefulness to piano teachers. Another application for the feature is toallow for growthin an individual child.

. FIG. 6'shows the upper side of the plane of the invention at the keyportion 33 on the right-hand end as indicated in FIG. 5. It may be notedfrom the foregoing description that the keys of the childs keyboard 6are fixedly related only to the fulcrum 21. Consequently, if

lateral motion be imparted to fulcrum 21, the key would itself be movedlaterally. It may be noted that for the keys to be separated from oneanother by a consistent interval, their displacement referred to astationary leftmost joint will be additive or cumulative. That is, if

. all the keys were to move with the same displacement portion of lever27 proximal to the player. Cord or wire I 27 attaches at its oppositeend to lever 28 representing that portion of the linkage system 29.Linkage system 29 is of a commonkind seen in automobile grease guns andhand'water pumps which in the present embodimerit appears in miniature.All joints in the present invention pose minimal friction for efficientas possible force transference, this best realized through theencorporation of low friction plastic material in the joints. Depressionof lever 28 imparts to the linkage system 29 a force it translates intodownward motion of the pin 31. Pin 31 acts upon the key of the actualinstrument 7 to actuate it. Linkage system 29 may be substituted withone of a' different type such as a cam mounting a lever, for example.All'levers pairs, a pair consisting of the actuating lever of the childskeyboard Sand the actuated lever of the actual instrument 28 are soposi-' tioned'as to retain the proper swing ordistance in downwarddisplacement for the childs key, this distance being the same as that ofthe actual keys of the instrument/Spring 30 reverses'this motional'chainbringing the childs key back to its nondepressed starting position.

Referring to FIG. 5, it may be seen that levers 24 and the result wouldbe to shift them in a unitary fashion or without change in theirrelative placement as is seen when the soft pedal of a grand piano isdepressed. In

order to respace the keys by a consistent and greater internal,successive keys must move by an. interval representing the product ofthe interval of increment and the number of previous keys beginning fromthe stationary end. In order to increase the size of an octave by three,quarters of an inch, the keys must be separated by one-sixteenth of aninch from one another. Over the entire keyboard, 87 keys must beseparated thus, the endmost being stationary. The accumulateddisplacementis then slightly" in excess of 5.4.inches 5' over the entirekeyboard. Such an accumulated dis- 28 may be angled away from the planeof the drawing. I

While those keys of the childs'keyboard 5 central to it may be coupledto those keys of the actual keyboard 7 corresponding to them in a facingrelationship between levers 24 and 28 without adjustrnent due to itssmaller size, as one moves away from the center of the childs keyboard5, the positionalrelationship between corresponding keys of the twokeyboards becomes more angular due to the smaller width of the child'skeys. Be-

cause of the rotatability of levers 24 and 28 this does not result in alost motional and attendant force component.-The support arms 25 areangled to uphold this facing relationship between levers 24 and 28. Theun derside of the invention seen in FIG. 5 at 33 is contouredforaccepting the black keys.

Referring now to FIG. 6, description will be made of an optional oraccessory feature of the invention. The purpose of this feature is toprovide shifting the keys for respacing them from'one another in orderto allow use of the invention by several children of varying but lessthan adult hand-size. Such a feature lends itselfof useplacement rendersit very difficult to provide clearance for the flangelike studs, 25which must be'of equivalent length to remain operatively' associatedwith their respective levers 24 as is essential. ln order to lessen thisaccumulated displacement, a .central key, specifically middle F servesas stationary and displacementis towards the left for those keyssituated to the left of middle F and towards the right for thosekeyssituated to the right of middle F. In this way, the accumulated dis- Iplacement is reduced to slightly less than 2% of an inch.

If it is intended to displace the keys up to three quarters of an inchper octave as is the present case, slightly less than 2% of an inch areallowed for the flangelike studs.

23 andadditionally as apotential space. at either end of the keyboard 5for containment of the spaced apart keys up .to their maximumdisplacement. This space may be taken why a section extending from thecabinet when withdrawn manually to the correct distance in the mannerof-a sliding door. In a childs keyboard the keys of which are threequarters the full size width,

. each key is about two thirdsof an inch wide or ten and two thirdssixteenths'of an inch. To this we may add (or subtract) one sixteenth ofan inch for lateral stretch or shifting. If 'we add the one sixteenthinch, the childsv keysremain sealed at three-to four. This allows eachchilds key eleven and two thirds sixteenths of arrinch. As theaccumulated displacement to either side is slightlyunder 2% inches,which is slightly more than fourty three and one half sixteenths inches,and the flangelike stud 23 is this length at the key at either end(although it will be understood in the opposite direction, itsdisplacement taking place in the opposite direction), the studs 23 beingreduced by-the accumulative factor of one sixteenth of an inchrepresenting their respective additive displacement moving towards middle F from either end key, cross over 4.09 keys at the end keys,representing the quotient of ten and two thirds sixteenths of an inchfor each key and fourty three and fifty two one hundredths sixteenthsinches for the end studs. Since the lever 24 and bearing 26 occupy lessthan the width of the keys allowing 0.09 of an inch to either side ofeach key, the outermost and longest studs 23 must receive clearance overthe next inner four keys when the keyboard is in its undisplaced,stretched, or undistended. state. Moving towards the center occupied bymiddle F thisreduces one sixteenth of an inch over each key, so that 11keys inward from either end', the studs begin to require offsettingclearance from three keys. This offsetting to allow clearance for thestuds 23 which must remain in contact with their respective levers 24 inorder to retain operatively associated, is accomplished by positioningsuccessive lever 24 and support arm 25 elements in different planes ofheight and proximity to the player side. Specifically, successive studspass at the points representing the crooks in levers 24. Needless tosay, successive studs 23 are of somewhat greater height and in thisembodiment the levers 24 and bearings 26 are designed to provide maximumclearance. FIG. 6 shows placement of the studs 23 as seen from above, itbeing understood that offset is also provided in the height dimension.Note that black keys are not actually narrower as they appear on thekeyboard. Moreover, at their rearward and outwardly unseen portion theymust be as sturdy as the white keys, so that at this portion, equalthickness has been allowed for the black keys as the white keys. Theblack keys are actually the same in width as the narrower and rearwardportion of the white keys from which width is taken to provide space forthe black keys, as is seen on a standard keyboard when one looks morecarefully. Nevertheless, FIG. 6 presents the rearward portion of theblack keys as narrower for visual clarity. Note that the studs at theends cover or pass through four keys when the keyboard is unstretched.When stretched, the overlap is of course, reduced. Needless to say, inan embodiment of the invention permitting stretching between the keys,compensatory repositioning is applied to the various leverage componentsfor maximum uniformity in the actions of the various keys and for thepreservation of a facing positioning for levers 24 and 28, so thattangential vector components with attendant less in mechanicalefficiency are avoided. Directly beneath the keys are their fulcrums 21and bearings 22 seen in FIG. 6 as broken lines. A rod 35 passes throughthe bottoms of the fulcrums 21 in line with the bearing axles above it.In this embodiment, the interfaces between the bottoms of the fulcrums21 and the floor therebeneath 36 in FIG. 5 encorporates a low frictionplastic material as does the interface of the through holes of thefulcrums 21 for passage therethrough of slide rod 35 along which thefulcrums are conducted in displacement laterally by the infantprotective gate type linkage 34 consisting of consecutive collapsiblecomplementary angles. The slide rod 35 contains the laterally travellingcross point joints of this linkage to which the fulcrums 21 are stationarily jointed to unswerving and equal expansion in consecutivelinkage sections. Such a linkage is an everyday commonplace and requiresno further description other than in the present embodiment it isminiature and precision made for retension of straight travellingalignment. A sliding groove in the floor of the cabinet floor 36 passesa downward rod (not shown) that inserts upon a geared rack 37 which thusis fixedly and rotatably associated with the extreme end straightcentral travelling joint of the collapsible linkage 34. Beneath thisrack 37 is a pinion (not shown) engaging the rack 37 on its underside bymeans of gears. The gear of the rack faces downwardly, of course. Thepinion (not shown) attaches to a rod 38 leading to a central rotaryhandle 39 that is in turn supported by rotary joint braces securing it.to the underside of the key portion of the invention designated 41 inFIG. 6. Needless to say, at the points just short of the center ofmiddle F, a second linkage as 34 is controlled by a second pinion placedabove rather than beneath the rack 37, the

inward fixed points of the linkages being just short of.

the center and beneath the middle F there being a single sliding rod '35coursing through the fulcrums 21 throughout the length of the keyboard5. Rotation of the rotary handle thus simultaneously displaces keys tothe right of middle F to the right while it displaces keys to the leftof middle F to the left. To substitute for the rack and pinions amachine tool slide screw with 'reversed threads at opposite ends isviewed as obvious. For streamlined design, these added parts for theembodiment of the invention able to undergo stretching between the keysis secondarily floored under thereby completely to enclose the inventionin a contoured cabinet.

It should be noted that in an ordinary plane, for example, asmanufactured, the keys are not physically joined to succeeding elementsin the actions. Consequently, the design procedure hereinbeforedisclosed for stretching the distance between the keys is applicable toordinary planes, for example.

In every case, stretching the distance between the keys should belimited to about one sixteenth inch between adjacent keys as thisprovides three quarters of an inch per octave which is more thanadequate in most cases, and because stretching the keys apart to agreater degree than this results in discomfort to the. player whosefinger tips betimes alight upon spaces between the keys presentingedges. This is, stretching should always be significantly less than thewidth of the fingers of the individual for which keyboard size isdetermined initially.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those madeapparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific fea-' tures of the inventionherein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention whichas a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. An attachment unit for operative association with a musicalinstrument which includes a plurality of individual instrument keysarranged in keyboard form and having a first, standard size, saidattachment unit including, in combination, a housing unit adapted forphysical association withsaid musical instrument, a plurality ofindividual attachment keys of reduced width relative to said instrumentkeys and disposed within said housing, said attachment keys beinglaterally spaced apart in one position of use by a predetermineddistance, and mounted so as to permit depression of their forward endsin response to an applied key striking pulse and arranged such that eachattachment key occupies a position within the attachment correspondingto its counterpart key in the instrument, and separate means disposedwithin said housing for transmitting an impulse to a portion of each ofsaid instrument keys in response to an impulse received by saidattachment keys, whereby an impulse imparted to a given attachment keywill be transmitted to a corresponding instrument key, said attachmentunit further including means operative in response to a single means foraltering said lateral spaces between keys, whereby the reach of theattachment keys may be varied to accommodate the reach of a user of theattachment unit.

trol unit and wherein said control unit is disposed adjacent thekeyboard portion of said attachment.

ll 'l

1. An attachment unit for operative association with a musicalinstrument which includes a plurality of individual instrument keysarranged in keyboard form and having a first, standard size, saidattachment unit including, in combination, a housing unit adapted forphysical association with said musical instrument, a plurality ofindividual attachment keys of reduced width relative to said instrumentkeys and disposed within said housing, said attachment keys beinglaterally spaced apart in one position of use by a predetermineddistance, and mounted so as to permit depression of their forward endsin response to an applied key striking pulse and arranged such that eachattachment key occupies a position within the attachment correspondingto its counterpart key in the instrument, and separate means disposedwithin said housing for transmitting an impulse to a portion of each ofsaid instrument keys in response to an impulse received by saidattachment keys, whereby an impulse imparted to a given attachment keywill be transmitted to a corresponding instrument key, said attachmentunit further including means operative in response to a single means foraltering said lateral spaces between keys, whereby the reach of theattachment keys may be varied to accommodate the reach of a user of theattachment unit.
 2. An attachment unit as defined in claim 1 whereineach of said attachment keys pivots about a common axis, wherein each ofsaid keys includes a collar unit forming a portion of the pivot pointthereof, and wherein a plurality of levers are arranged as a telescopingbellows to provide a portion of said means for altering said lateralspacing between keys.
 3. An attachment unit as defined in claim 1wherein said single means for altering said spaces between keys areoperative in response to movement of a single control unit and whereinsaid control unit is disposed adjacent the keyboard portion of saidattachment.